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by Kentucky Equine Research Staff
In addition to the host of intangibles involved in training horses, adding science to the mix may help improve a racehorse’s chance of success. According to a group of European researchers, measuring stride length and frequency—how far horses stretch their limbs and how fast they move their legs—during training could assist in race length selection.*
To explore whether stride characteristics could help classify racehorses as sprinters or stayers, a wearable smart device was commissioned. The device recorded peak stride length and frequency as well as speed in a large cohort of racehorses during training sessions.
“In those race-speed training sessions, locomotory differences were detected, with sprinters having shorter strides of higher frequency than stayers,” explained Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., of Kentucky Equine Research.
In addition, peak stride length was found to be moderately heritable after reviewing three generations of pedigrees from included horses.
“A better understanding of individual stride characteristics could help racehorse professionals select suitable race distances, while also taking into account their own experience at placing racehorses in suitable meetings alongside other historical aspects of how racehorse conformation and pedigree information can influence such decisions,” according to the research team.
“In other words, not only will identifying whether a horse is more suited to shorter or longer races improve their chances of winning but also allow trainers to develop more specific training sessions,” Whitehouse noted. “Targeted training that considers speed, stride frequency and length, and biomarkers of fatigue may, in turn, promote longer careers and improve welfare on the track.”
Regardless of a Thoroughbred’s individual stride characteristics, all racehorses must withstand joint concussion during training and racing.
“Offer Synovate HA to keep those joints lubricated for friction-free movement and to maintain a healthy balance between cartilage growth and breakdown,” advised Whitehouse.
Synovate HA is a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid supplement that provides 100 mg per serving for targeted support to high-motion joints.
“A Kentucky Equine Research study showed horses supplemented with Synovate HA maintained their stride length during a high-speed treadmill training program compared to the control group,” she added.
*Schrurs, C., S. Blott, G. Dubois, E. Van Erck-Westergren, and D.S. Gardner. 2022. Locomotory profiles in Thoroughbreds: peak stride length and frequency in training and association with race outcomes. Animals (Basel) 12(23):3269.
There a more informative articles in our section on Health & Education. While you're here be sure to visit our Curated Amazon Store.
Dave Dellin, the Director of Judges for the American Paint Horse Association, gives educational tips on the fundamentals of showmanship.
For more information on the largest certifying body of riding instructors and barn managers in North America, Certified Horsemanship Association, please visit www.CHA.horse. To find a certified equine professional or accredited equine facility near you, visit www.CHA.horse.
Is your horse feeling his oats? Incorporate calming supplements for horses.
While colder weather is perfect for watching a movie or reading a book indoors, it is often less-than-ideal for equestrians who prioritize riding and training year-round.
Now is the time to incorporate calming supplements for horses.
Are your riding lessons a bit more spirited these days? For many horses, the addition of calming supplements, which include specific herbs, vitamins and minerals, can modify the neurotransmitters in the brain, changing the horse's reaction to stress-inducing environmental factors.
Magnesium plays an important role in the nervous and muscular systems. An adequate level of magnesium helps with stress management, muscle tension and irritable, unpredictable behavior, which is commonly experienced with chilly winter temperatures ongoing across the country. Vitamin-B complex also is important in various metabolic functions within the body and is proven to help relieve anxiety and stress.
There are a number of equine calming supplements available to choose from to help manage your horse's apprehension. Our customers consistently share powerful stories of success with the use of Command Serene. It is an all-natural, herb-free calming formula for horses, available in pellets, powder and paste forms. Command Serene contains concentrated levels of B-vitamins and magnesium. It counteracts the stress that leads to irritable, nervous, unpredictable behavior, and allows the horse to be more focused.Command Serene is completely natural without the addition of any sugars or fillers, and it will not test.
Help your horse find relaxation and focus, so you may enjoy more serene rides.
This article originally appeared on Valley Vet and is published here with permission. Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians for people just like you - people who want the very best for their four-legged friends and livestock.
All photos courtesy of Valley Vet.
There are more informative articles in our section on Health & Education.
By the EIE Editorial Staff
We all know that horses are primarily flight animals. This means their first instinct when faced with a threat is to run away.
Their evolutionary history as prey animals on the open plains ingrained this response. They rely on their speed and agility to escape predators.
However, horses also have a fight response as a secondary option. If they're cornered or can't escape, they may resort to fighting back with kicks, bites, or rearing to defend themselves.
For that reason, when they hear, see or feel something where they believe they are unsafe, they will spook!
Here are some of the most popular (or unpopular) spook triggers in horses.
1. Flags and Bags. Yes, the blowing flag and the dreaded plastic bag tie for our number one spot on this list. We’ve all been riding and seen a random plastic bag blow across our path. We brace ourselves knowing that our horse will leap up, or sideways – thinking that his leg will be entrapped with no way out. This is such a common issue that even when NOT riding we think of spooking horse episodes when seeing a blowing flag or bag. Yes, perhaps we have PBPTSD (Plastic Bag PTSD).
2. Balloons. We love a nice celebration but celebrations which involve balloons, especially ones that are blowing or get released into the air, can be mind blowing for a horse. Beware!
3. Barking or chasing dogs. You are trail riding minding your own business when an unleashed dog who has never seen a horse runs up on you. The frantic owner tries calling and gets irritated at you when you suggest the dog should perhaps be on a leash and they should get a refund on obedience classes, lest the dog gets kicked or the horse bolts. Yes, it's always the rider's fault. Sigh.
4. Motorcycles. This is pretty self explanatory. A few unknowing bikers didn’t realize the impact this has on horses when several of them showed up at a horseshow wanting to watch. The loud sound is just too much for them. Chaos ensued and horses scattered but fortunately no one got hurt as they we kindly asked to quietly roll their bikes off the grounds.
5. Wildlife. Trail riding can bring many surprises like the time we were quietly walking down a path and a 12-point buck launched himself from behind a bush across our path. Fortunately, the horse was a veteran, stopped in shock but carried on after the deer disappeared.
6. Spray bottles. We bought a young horse that was clearly not handled much and the first time we tried to fly spray her she spun around the stall. So, we worked with her gradually little by little by wiping the spray on her and slowly introducing her to the spraying process. Interestingly, a couple of our horses never got accustomed to the Equispot process and spook away from the dripping on their topline. Perhaps they associate it with flies landing on them.
7. Unexpected touch. While trying out a horse once, a friend joined us. While riding while the friend was walking on the left-hand side, the horse suddenly jumped to the right. Since I didn’t give her a cue, I asked, “Did you touch her?” He said he did. UGH! Don’t touch a horse while someone is riding without them knowing! No wonder why she spooked.
8. Water. Some horses love to jump in a pond, stream or river. If they start pawing, be careful. They may just roll around and you'll get an unplanned bath! Others never want to be a “mudder” and are insecure about the smallest of puddles because they don’t feel safe about where to put their feet. With exposure to water features, this can be overcome and enjoyable to the horse.
9. Cars. Riding alongside a road can be harrowing when drivers don’t slow down and give you and your horse space. It is scary for both you and your horse – and can be extremely dangerous. We always encourage riders to ride during the day and wear a helmet. Many also choose to wear reflective gear.
10. Shadows. Horses rely heavily on vision, but their sight works differently from ours. They have excellent peripheral vision but poorer depth perception. A shadow on the ground can be a confusing change in the landscape for a horse. Their monocular vision (focusing on one eye at a time) might make a shadow appear to jump or change shape as they shift their gaze. One of the most famous shadow spooking incidents is when racehorse Dayjur jumped a shadow at the finish of the 1990 Breeders’ Cup Sprint which caused him to lose ground – and the race!
What triggers your horse? Let us know!
You can find more interesting stories in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.
As a follow up to Equitopia's video "The Biomechanics of Sneakers," this video shows farriers the correct way to apply Sneaker horse shoes. Sneakers are a unique horse shoe combining superior shock absorption, vibration dampening, the ability to bevel both the toe and the heel, heel support and a design that prevents dorsal over flexion thereby protecting tendons and ligaments from damage. Sneakers are used in all disciples as well as in orthopedic applications.
For more info on Sneakers contact Equithotics. Visit Equitopia
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